June 7 Service - Norman Kennedy Presbyterian Church | You ...

Norman Kennedy Presbyterian Church June 7, 2020

Trinity Sunday

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH: A return to worship in the sanctuary is getting closer! More information will come

to you after the Elders have time to consider the Provincial guidelines. Expect further updates by email in this coming week. Meanwhile, please continue with this discipline of reading and participating in worship as presented in this format. And if you have any concerns and questions, don’t hesitate to call me at the church.

Session meeting this week – Tuesday, June 9th at 6:30 p.m. Once again, thanks for your continuing and ongoing support in offerings and in

prayers for the continuing ministry and mission of the church. If you have difficulties opening the links to musical accompaniment or special

features, contact Taeyang (306-999-5113)- he will give you some guidance. Those who use The Daily Bread devotional booklet, the one for June, July & August,

it is now available – come by the church to pick up your copy. BOOKCLUB – let’s meet at the church on Wednesday, June 24th 7 p.m. to discuss the

book we started in January and to choose something for the summer. Come with suggestions please.

Food Bank Bin is located in the Narthex and you can contribute to it anytime – on Sunday or when the church office is open. Also, the recycling bin is available.

Please take note of this: the NKP website is up and active again. Here’s the address: www.nkpchurchregina.ca Check it and our FB page.

Sunday School lessons and a craft are being distributed to the mailboxes of the regular Sunday School children. Thanks to Sumi, for preparing and distributing these. We’d love to get drawings, colouring sheets and samples of the crafts back from the children so we can make a display at the church. This method of Sunday School will continue for the month of June (even if we return to Worship services here, we will finish out the SS year with take home/do at home lessons.)

Special music contributions are provided for our ‘email’ worship services. Thanks to those singing and to Sumi & Taeyang for recording these parts of our worship.

‘Spring Basket/ Fancy Bag Contest & Auction’ fundraiser was a huge success! Profit will be $856.65 Thank you for the baskets, thank you for participating in the bidding, thank you for coming in to collect your prize baskets! Laurie & Sumi helped keep everything sorted and fair – thank you!

ORDER OF WORSHIP

WORDS OF GREETING: Welcome to Norman Kennedy Presbyterian Church! You are the Church! I am the Church! We are the church together! We are the church gathered in spirit but scattered in our various homes. As the People of God, we come together in this common time to worship, to learn, to pray, and to go with God’s blessing. In a moment of silent preparation for worship today, please think on the mystery of Trinity: God the Father receives our worship; God the Son perfects it, God the Spirit prompts it. God is not simply the passive receiver of our worship, but the active agent who makes it possible. What an awesome experience we have when we gather together in worship!

CONGREGATIONAL INTROIT: #299 ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwuDSw-9cUQ

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

CALL TO WORSHIP: We trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. In life and in death we belong to God. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives. In life and in death we belong to God. We rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In life and in death we belong to God. WE SHALL PRAISE GOD’S NAME.

OPENING PRAYER: O God, we honour this day the majesty and the mystery of your name. You are both infinite and intimate, known and unknowable, transcendent and transparent. In love, you have made us your own, and invite us to join in your divine dance. We will never rest until we rest in you, Blessed Trinity, one God forever and ever. Amen.

GATHERING SONGS OF PRAISE: # 298 Glory be to God the Father…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1xJ-0WwL7w

Glory be to God the Father, Glory be to God the Son,Glory be to God the Spirit, Great Jehovah three in One.Singing glory, glory. Glory while eternal ages run.

Glory be to Him who loved us, washed us from each spot and stain.Glory be to Him who bought us, made us kings with Him to reign.Singing glory, glory. Glory to the Lamb who once was slain.

Glory to the King of Angels, Glory to the Church's King.Glory to the King of nations, Heaven and earth your praises bring.Singing glory, glory. Glory to the King of Nations bring.

Glory blessing praise eternal, Thus the choir of angels sings.Honor riches power dominion, Thus its praise creation brings.Singing glory, glory. Glory, glory to the King of Kings

Majesty, worship your majesty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaRwD2Y7C0s

Majesty, worship his majesty;Unto Jesus be all glory, honour, and praise.Majesty, kingdom authority,Flow from his throne unto his own, his anthem raise.So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.Majesty, worship his majesty,Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

# 292 Father, I adore You (2X’s)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph-ZBiIETB0

Father, I adore YouLay my life before YouHow I love You

Jesus, I adore YouLay my life before YouHow I love You

Spirit, I adore YouLay my life before YouHow I love You

CHILDREN’S TIME: A BIBLE VERSE TO LEARN:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . .” (Matthew 28:19)

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

Good morning! On this Sunday, in many churches, the worship focuses on the TRINITY. That is a big word and a hard word to understand. The Trinity is not an

easy concept, but I will try my best to explain it. When you are growing up and after you are too big for a stroller, many children are given a tricycle. A tricycle has 3 wheels, right? Because it has 3 wheels it will not fall over very easily and you will learn to pedal to make it go forward. Pretty soon you will be going faster and faster and you will have more and more fun!

When you go to school you will learn about shapes - What shape is this? A triangle, right?

And triangles have 3 sides.

Next, I will show you 2 things with 3 legs – you may have one of these at home.

A 3 legged- stool! And a tripod! Do you know what a tripod is used for? The picture here shows a camera on top of the tripod.

If we were in the church building this morning, I would have our church photographer (I think you all know Parry) set up his tripod and take a group picture of all the children! That would be nice picture to have, don’t you agree? I have now used the word ‘tri’ a few times. You have probably guessed that ‘tri’ means 3. The tricycle, the triangle, the picture of the stool and the tripod each had 3 of something – 3 wheels, 3 sides, or 3 legs. All 3 need to be equal and also having 3 makes the tricycle, the triangle or the tripod stable. The word Trinity begins with the same three letters as tricycle, triangle and tripod--

t-r-i meaning 3. The word Trinity refers to God in 3 persons.Sometimes when we think of God, we think of the Creator--the One who made

heaven and earth, the light and darkness, the sea and dry land, the plants and animals, you and me.Sometimes when we think of God, we remember Jesus--the special baby born in a stable, the One who cured people of their diseases, who taught people to love one another, who was crucified, who died and who rose again to live in Heaven. Jesus, our friend and our Saviour.And sometimes when we think of God, we think of the Holy Spirit--the Helper Jesus sent to the disciples at Pentecost--the One who gives us guidance and strength to carry on God's work in the world, showing love and sharing the power of forgiveness.All of these together--Creator, Saviour and Helper, is what we call the Trinity. One God described in 3 different ways. When we pray and talk to God, we can use any of those names. At the very beginning of our worship service today we sang a song of praise about God that mentioned those 3 ways – I would just like you to think of that song again – it said – “Holy, Holy, Holy, God in three persons Blessed Trinity!”

SOMETHING TO DO: I have sent a name tag to you with your Sunday School package for today. When you think of who YOU are – you are called by a name… Your name is _______________! But you are also known by other ‘names’, such as sister or brother, grandchild, hockey player, and _____________. Please write your name on the name tag and then add all

the other names you go by. Remember though that this does not mean you are more than one person, but you have different names because of the relationship you have with others. Take a picture of you wearing your name tag and send it to the church.

CALL TO CONFESSION: Beloved of God, we celebrate in faith the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once and for allfor the sins of the whole world.God has reconciled us to himself and to one another;God has covenanted with us by the presence of the Holy Spirit,who gathers us together and transforms us to new life.Let us repent from our sins, and may the mercies of the Lord inspire us to wholeness and grace.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (unison)

Triune God,You gather, protect, and care for us, your beloved, through Word and Spirit.This you have done from the beginning of the world and will do to the end.Have mercy upon us and forgive us for sinning against you.We have not loved one another as we should,We have not sown the seeds of gospel hope,We have not been present for worship.Restore us, Lord.May we give ourselves willingly and joyfullyTo be of benefit and blessing to one another,That we may truly share one faith, have one calling,And be of one soul and one mindFor the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: from Matthew 28:18–20And Jesus has come to you and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION: (sing this to the ‘Be still & Know’ tune…OR just read it as a prayer)

Be still and know that God is here.Be still and know that God is near.Be still and know that God is here.Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Lectionary Psalm: Psalm 8 (responsive)

O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.2 Out of the mouths of babes and infantsyou have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars that you have established;4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?

5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Matthew 9:9-13 (CEB)

9 As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. 10 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table.

11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.”

Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

The TEACHER according to Matthew (sermon series)

June 7, 2020

SERMON: ‘Matthew – from reject to revealer’

Throughout the Lent, Easter and post-Easter season of the church, I have followed what are called the Lectionary readings and based my sermons on those texts. The Lectionary is a pre-selected collection of scriptural readings (Old Testament, Psalms, Gospel, & New Testament) which can be used for worship and study. The revised Common Lectionary follows a 3-year cycle of texts giving a comprehensive selection of passages which connect the major movements of God’s work and wisdom for the people of God.

Today’s lectionary reading takes us to Matthew 28:16-20 – known as the Great Commission text. We have just read it. It is a wonderful text which assures Jesus followers that He will be with them always – and we need to hear that! Always!

But I started to reflect on what comes before this and realized that although we spent time with all the ‘passion’ stories (the Easter season) – we get to the ‘great commission’ just as Jesus is about to leave from his earthly presence on earth and return to the Father. But to understand what Jesus was commissioning his disciples (and us) to do – the ‘content’ and the ‘how’ of being disciples which he taught and demonstrated during his 3 year earthly ministry, then we need to go back to learn and be reminded of all that is written in the Gospels. The Gospels are the accounts of Jesus life and ministry while he was with us on earth. And all that he taught is what we are now commissioned to also teach. So, it seemed timely to me that we go back to all that Matthew wrote and thus learn or learn again what is ‘the Gospel’.

Do you know a ‘master teacher’? Not just a teacher who is excellent in their teaching but a ‘master teacher’ as one who is a guide and a mentor to other teachers. I first heard of that as a title when I was on staff at the King’s University College as we developed the Education Degree program. The professors involved insisted the program be structured with the master teacher concept so the B.Ed students would have the best change to become successful classroom teachers. The

‘master teacher’ would be the expert! And such an ‘expert’ would have great influence on the quality of teachers who would graduate from the program.

Jesus was a master teacher. His disciples initially, and now you and I, are enrolled as His students. We need to learn from Him, to sit under his feet as it were so we too can teach and share and live the Christian life. Therefore, in the next few months, I wish to take you on a journey with me through Matthew, learning from this master teacher.

My preaching this summer (mostly in the months of June, July & August – except when I am on holiday) will be from Matthew’s Gospel. As we begin, I would like to extend a challenge – there are 28 chapters in Matthew – each month has more than 28 days. Would you be willing to commit to reading this Gospel during these next 3 months? Either take one chapter per day for each of the 3 months which would result in reading the full Gospel 3 times OR read 9 or 10 chapters per month – meaning you would read the whole Gospel at least once.

We start this journey through Matthew on Trinity Sunday. The Great Commission passage of Matthew 28 is a ‘trinity’ passage as therein, it speaks of Jesus the Son who under the authority of His heavenly Father, authorizes his disciples, who will have the Spirit’s presence and wisdom, to make disciples and to teach everything of Jesus and His great salvation.

This Gospel of Matthew, (as also Mark, Luke and John) tells the great story of Jesus, that story which we are commissioned to keep telling so that we live as true disciples of Jesus in our current time and age.

Matthew’s gospel appears as the 1st gospel in our Bibles, although scholars point out that Mark was written first. The church fathers, in assembling the order of the books of the Bible, felt that Matthew’s gospel would be best first as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Matthew provides an emphasis on Jesus as the Messiah – the Anointed One predicted and prophesied of in so much of the Old Testament. Matthew takes great pains to identify who Jesus is and this is a great first book introduction to Jesus. Matthew also focuses a lot on what Jesus came to do – specifically to introduce a whole new kingdom. A kingdom we are called to understand and to enter into- as counter cultural as it may be.

Today, though let’s begin with the person called Matthew, the human author of this Gospel. Who was he? He was one of the 12 disciples – he is also called Levi. And he was a tax-collector.

As Jesus began his earthly ministry, he gathered a group of disciples to be with him and to learn from him. This was a common activity of leaders of political or religious

movements. Because of who they were or what they were leading or organizing, those of common thinking would be attracted to become followers. However, what was normal was for one to ask to be a disciple or follower.

However, Jesus initiated! Jesus did the asking, the recruiting – and he choose 12 to be his students. Students of a master teacher – and only for a relatively short time. They would sit at his feet, listen, observe, participate in a walking and talking style of teacher-student relationship.

Matthew records his own version of his encounter with Jesus. He tells us that he was also known as Levi and he was a tax collector.

If we are at all familiar with how tax collectors are described in the scriptures, we know immediately that Matthew was a reject, a despised person among his people. Tax

collectors were scum – traitors in the view of the hard-working every day citizens already oppressed under Roman rule. Yet some could and would be recruited to work for the Romans and the most despised were those who accepted the job of a ‘tax-collector’. It was often seen as a ‘get rich’ quick kind of position. In this position there was free rein to add to the tax which was payable to the Roman procurator, and in so doing pad their own wallets. Matthew probably had even more opportunity to ‘advance’ in wealth as his was the district of a popular trade route – and customs taxes could be gathered on all goods coming in and out of Judea. Anyone faithful to their religion, anyone concerned about a fair and just society, anyone who respected their rabbis, would not accept such a position. Upon becoming a tax collector, the label of ‘sinner’ was applied, along with liar and cheat and swindler and any other derogatory name they could think of …tax collectors were considered to be religiously unclean because of their association with the Romans, they were also the least trusted of all society, evident in that they were prevented from giving testimony in court, and according to the law of Moses they were counted as those who were unacceptable before God.

Therefore, when Jesus called Levi to follow him, he took quite a risk. Jesus was putting his own reputation under suspicion simply for stopping to talk with Matthew.

What kind of teacher would do that, what kind of movement was He leading?

Matthew records the encounter in one verse – (Matt. 9:9)- “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him”.

Matthew immediately responded to Jesus. Jesus saw him at his tax booth, Jesus walked up to his tax booth and said 2 words – “Follow me.” Obviously not the 2 words (or more) Matthew was used to hearing!

On both their parts - no further questions asked, nothing else said and no hesitancy in Matthew’s response.

Matthew got up, walked away from his job, his wealth, his security in old age, his reputation – and followed Jesus.

Matthew heard Jesus call and said yes.

Most commentators believe that Matthew knew about Jesus. His reputation likely preceded him. This encounter happens right after Jesus he had set free 2 men possessed by demons and after the healing of a paralyzed man. People were beginning to talk about Jesus. Matthew was in a position to hear the latest news.

But would you say YES just because you ‘heard’ a good report about someone?

Matthew responds because God, by His spirit, drew him to believe. We are all, at some time, made ready (by God’s Holy Spirit) to hear and act because of God’s mercy and grace. Matthew had an immediate conversion experience. Others may have a more gradual awakening – but regardless there is a time when we also must hear Jesus say ‘follow me’ and we get up and respond ‘yes’. Jesus knew Matthew, knew who he was, what he did and despite what others thought, Jesus knew he wanted to welcome him to his motely crew of disciples. Jesus also comes to us, finds us even if we’re in some awful places – and he calls us to join him in His mission of changing lives and changing the world.

The power of Jesus’ speaking and calling and teaching and changing people and circumstances will be seen throughout Matthew’s gospel.

Matthew in writing about his own call, doesn’t record for us anything he said, only what he did. He left his tax booth and became a disciple.

There may have been a gap between verses 9 & 10 – enough time at least for Matthew to gather together some of his colleagues in the tax-collecting business. But next we read of a dinner party, one that attracted the attention of the Pharisees. Jesus was at this dinner party at Matthew’s house and he was willing to sit down for

dinner with the rejects of society. When criticized for such by the Pharisees, Jesus uses the words of a possible familiar proverb – “those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” It seems Jesus is indicating that since the Pharisees don’t see themselves as sick (in other words they believe that they are not in need of salvation), then they don’t need Him as Forgiver or Healer. Jesus knew his role was to minister to those who knew they needed him, people like tax collectors.

In the weeks to come, as we read and study the Gospel of this former tax collector, reject of society, who then became a disciple and in His gospel, the one who made clear and revealed what the Kingdom of heaven was all about --- he did so connecting the dots of a salvation plan which was for any and all who are in need of mercy.

Mercy was shown to him, mercy was and is still shown to all who have been rejected. Matthew himself – and especially as he writes the Good News story he came to believe – for it is a powerful and a personal message to us and to all who need such mercy. Jesus challenged the Pharisees – “go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” We may not be ‘low-life’ rejected tax collectors but Jesus comes to seek us where we sit and He has revealed what He wants from us –and maybe still he speaks just 2 words “Follow me”.

Have you done so – will you do so?

Matthew’s life was never the same – neither will yours be. The Master teacher has so much to teach us yet.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.

SILENT REFLECTION

HYMN OF RESPONSE: #34 ‘God, be merciful to me’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLCqF1-L61s

1. God be merciful to me;on thy grace I rest my plea.Plenteous in compassion thou,

blot out my transgressions now;my transgressions I confess;grief and guilt my soul oppress;I have sinned against thy graceand provoked thee to thy face.

2. Wash me, wash me pure within;cleanse, oh cleanse me from my sin;I confess thy judgements just;speechless, I thy mercy trust.Thou alone my Saviour art;teach thy wisdom to my heart;make me pure, thy grace bestow;make me thus thy mercy know.

3. Gracious God, my heart renew,make my spirit right and true;from my sins oh hide thy face,blot them out in boundless grace.Cast me not away from thee:let thy Spirit dwell in me;thy salvation's joy impart;steadfast make my willing heart.

INVITATION & PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Out of the abundance of God’s own life, we have received the abundance of God’s creation, God’s word, and God’s love. Why, then, should we live as though we are threatened with scarcity? Let us return to God a portion of all that we have been given, with joyous and glad abandon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFQ_H4c8WW0Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication:

Holy God, you have poured out so much for us— the beauty of the world, the care of family and friends, meaningful labour, and the gift of the church. We give you thanks for these and many other gifts. Most especially, we thank you for pouring your love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Through these offerings, may your love spill over in glad abundance that brings relief, renewal, and hope to those in need. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Special Music Presentation: Parry, Daniel & Taeyanghttps://youtu.be/9FZdeASdtWU

PRAYERS of the People and the Lord’s Prayer:

God be merciful to me! Heavenly Father we thank you for your loving kindness which we have experienced when we first heard you call our name. As you called Matthew/Levi by name – so you have called me – and each one of us individually. You found us wherever and in whatever circumstances we were in – some of us were in trouble and we knew we needed help; some of us were living only for the wealth and security the world provided; some of us were pushing the boundaries of what was decent or fair; some of us were searching for life’s meaning --- and then Your call came in those simple words – “follow me”. We heard you call and we responded! Thanks be to God! Lord Jesus as we have followed, and as we continue to follow, we have so much to still learn and to change and to grow. Being your disciple is a life long commitment – one in which daily we depend on You for all that we need. Merciful God we come to you in our neediness – some of us need to be restored in health for our body and mind. We pray for ourselves and for others we know who need healing from illness, who need recovery from surgeries or treatments, who need physical, emotional, spiritual strength for a battle with cancer. Today hear our prayers for Janet, for Ron and for Pam. Our neediness also takes the form of too much focus on self when we were created to be in community – we have placed our own needs first and have ignored the needs of a suffering world. Forgive us and cause us to remember to care for and serve others – bring to our attention even the local needs where we might be able to make a difference. In the circumstances that have developed with Covid 19 – we know some have lost their jobs, some have only limited incomes, some are working in stressful situations, some have been confined to home for too long and are very lonely, some are anxious and afraid for themselves, for their family members, for the world. Some have also suffered the loss of a loved one and were left to mourn alone. Gracious God, enable us to see such needs and find ways to minister to these friends and neighbours and fellow church members in ways that

bring courage and strength and your peace! Heavenly Father we pray also today for your wisdom and guidance as we long to return to worship together as the family of God’s people who call this church home. We pray for the Session in our meeting on Tuesday to know the best way forward for us at this time. We pray for all in our church family – for their health and well-being and their spiritual growth as we each worship alone but conscious of who we are normally with – giving thanks for each one and how significant their presence was and is within this particular church. In silence now, I invite our prayers for those who sit with us, near us in worship. (a time of silence). Continuing in silence, I invite our prayers for the neighbourhood is which we are planted and for opportunities to serve them and share with them the Gospel of hope. (a time of silence). Our prayers continue also this morning for our world – in this past week we have become much more conscious of how we are torn apart by prejudice, inequality, racism and injustices. Forgive us for any part we play in any of those abuses. Cause us to acknowledge and live in the knowledge that You are a God who created, loved, and called us all to be reconciled to You and to each other. We know the hope of a new world – we know and believe the scripture which tells us "No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest." That is the when your kingdom comes – come Lord Jesus come. For we pray in unison as Jesus our Lord and Saviour taught us… Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name,thy kingdom come,thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts,as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,and the power, and the glory,forever. Amen.

THE PARTING HYMN: ‘God of Grace and God of Glory’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYaJ1CYbn1c

God of grace and God of glory,on thy people pour thy power;crown the ancient church's story;bring its bud to glorious flower.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,for the facing of this hour,for the facing of this hour.

2. Lo! the hosts of evil round us,scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!From the fears that long have bound us,free our hearts to love and praise.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,for the living of these days,for the living of these days.

3. Cure thy children's warring madness,bend our pride to thy control;shame our wanton, selfish gladness,rich in things and poor in soul.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,lest we miss thy kingdom's goal,lest we miss thy kingdom's goal.

4. Set our feet on lofty places;gird our lives that they may bearmoured with all Christlike graces,pledged to set all captives free.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,that we fail not them nor thee,that we fail not them nor thee!

5. Save us from weak resignationto the evils we deplore;let the search for thy salvationbe our glory evermore.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,serving thee whom we adore,serving thee whom we adore.

GOD SENDS US . . . Has God called you? Then He will fulfill his purpose in you, he will equip you, He will enable you, he will protect you, he will accompany you. Are you obeying his commands? Then He is with you to protect you. Are you sharing the word? Then He will accomplish his purposes no matter how the people respond. Be His faithful follower today and always.

BENEDICTION: Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

GOING OUT SONG: ‘O How He loves you and me’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r89NFu8Sn1Y

Oh, how He loves you and me,Oh, how He loves you and me,He gave his life, what more could He give?Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how he loves me;Oh, how he loves you and me.

Jesus to Calvary did go,His love for sinners to show.What He did there brought hope from despair.Oh, how He loves you; Oh how he loves me; Oh, how he loves you and me.